Task 1

Pre-Production and Planning for a Computer Game

Software

For this videogame project I’ll be using different software such as MSPaint, Adobe Photoshop and GameMaker Studio. Using the first two programs I’ll create and develop the Sprites/Rooms. By using GameMaker Studio I’ll be able to create a variety of 2D Games of varying Genre. In this case, I’ll be using GameMaker Studio to create a ‘Maze Game’ and with the finished Sprites/Rooms, I’ll develop and program a fully-working videogame. Both would cost me around £500 (GameMaker Studio) and £330 (Adobe Photoshop) respectively. However, both companies also give me the option of using a free trial basis.

·         GameMaker Studio: GameMaker Studio is a proprietary creation system of videogames created by Mark Overmars in the Delphi programming language. It accommodates the creation of cross-platform and multi-genre games by using drag-and-drop or a sand-boxed scripting language known as GameMaker Language. GameMaker Studio caters to entry-level novices and seasoned game development professionals equally, allowing them to create games without much programming knowledge to use of these actions.

·         Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is an image editing and creation software that is developed and manufactured by Adobe Systems Inc. It is considered as one of the leaders in photo editing and creation software. This software allows users to manipulate, crop, resize and correct colours in digital photographs and imagery. It is particularly popular amongst both novice and professional graphic designers.

Finance

None – This is a non-profit project that’ll use the free materials and facilities provided by South Leicester College. This project can also be worked on at home but would need the appropriate programs brought and installed, such as GameMaker Studio and Adobe Photoshop. However, if this project was to be done without the backing of SLC, I’d have to plan a budget which’ll include Software, Hardware, Facilities, Personnel and even Travel. With a budget I could hire out a variety of Producers and Programmers, Artists, Designers and Composers. An estimate budget for all of this would probably be around £5k or £20k to develop a videogame of this size. If was making a small videogame I’d negotiate a final budget of £12k to go towards it, to pay off any costs and fees.

Time

In order to create a productive schedule for my videogame project I’ll have to plan an appropriate deadline. While I am very familiar with Adobe Photoshop, Pixlr and MSPaint, I'd have to teach myself and practice using the GameMaker Studio program. The estimate time limit I'd set myself would range between 2-3 weeks. This would also include the initial planning, programming and finally the development process. However, if I were to create a videogame without the backing of SLC I’d give myself an extended deadline beyond the 2-3 week limit to something more flexible to compliment and work aside my schedule.

Personnel

None – This project will be worked on solely by myself. However, if I find myself struggling I’ll take on the support of my Teachers (Wayne Gallear, Josh Rai or Caitlin McReynolds) or even my fellow students. On the other hand, if I was to take on some Personnel to work on my Project the deadline will be cut short in exchange of paying the extra Personnel. With a budget I could hire out a variety of Producers and Programmers, Artists, Designers and Composers.

Facility

In regards of facility, I’ll be working on my Project at South Leicester College or at Home. At SLC I have access to all of the software I need to create my videogame project in absolute freedom and peace. However, if I were to work at home I’d need to purchase and install the appropriate software/hardware (Such as Adobe Photoshop, GameMaker Etc). If I was creating a real game then I’d probably hire out a pre-used facility and its software, and other equipment by using the finance from out of my budget.

Contributors

None – As this project will be worked on solely by myself and the fact that I do not know anybody wealthy or famous; I’ll be using no known contributors. After all, this just a small college project. Personally, I do not feel that my videogame (for SLC) would not need any contributors. However, if this was a true videogame project I’d probably try and contact well-known contributors like Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant etc. for voice-over work. Naturally, though, this’ll probably cost me an arm-and-leg in terms of budget. Using contributors, though, I believe this’ll increase the sales of my game.

                  

Ricky Gervais                           Stephan Merchant

Locations

None – This project will not be inspired by any known locations. However, if I feel the need to be inspired I’ll probably either research locations (I.E; Mazes, Labyrinths, Etc.) by using the internet or go out into the world with a camera to take different photographs. This also applies if I was creating a game for a real project, though, I’ll most likely hire out a photographer to bring me the several images instead. With a budget, I could even look at stock photos and create a background from there.

Copyright

If I am to use specific imagery or sounds from the internet I’ll have to first whether or not those images and sound are copyrighted, and if I’ll have to ask for permission to use them in my videogame project otherwise I’d have to use another copyrighted image. However, if I were to professionally publish this videogame for people to buy and play then I'd have to check if it meets the rules and regulations for the PEGI rating, in order for it to be appropriate for everybody to play. If I were to create a game I’d follow the rules and regulations of the PEGI ratings to make my game rated as PEGI-13 for its child-friendly and cartoonlike imagery. I would also probably join a trade union if it was a non-college related project.

References

http://us.cdn001.fansshare.com/photos/rickygervais/ricky-gervais-letterman-1556394563.jpg (Wednesday 8 October 2014 | 17:00)

http://a.giscos.free.fr/cinema/Acteur/S/StephenMerchant.jpg (Wednesday 8 October | 17:10)

http://teamcooper.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-a-mobile-game-cost-to-develop/ (Wednesday 8 October 2014 | 15:50)